PARTIARCHAL DISCOURSES, POLIGAMOUS LIVES: THE SYRIANS LIVING IN ANTAKYA

The aim of this article is to understand and analyze the behaviors and attitudes of Syrian women under temporary protection of Turkey towards polygyny. Recent studies in Turkish cities on south-eastern border present the discomfort felt by the local women about Syrians. Local women stated that Syrian women affected their spouses and in relation with this, there was an increase in divorces and polygyny. In order to analyze the situation in these communities, in-depth interviews were held with 20 Syrian women in Antakya and Antakya Red Crescent Center between December 2018 and February 2019. Given that each society has developed different ways of adapting to life within the framework of its unique socio-cultural and economic conditions, women who experience everyday life differently are likely to develop different strategies to cope with the challenges they face.Even though personal care and giving importance to looking beautiful is expressed as cultural identity by Syrian women when analyzed in detail this tendency signalizes an area that is created constantly through patriarchal discourses. The transmitter, controller, judge of this area, which is created constantly through a masculine point of view, is women. In conclusion Syrian women do not tolerate polygyny and develop strategies to cope with this problem. Cultural codes stated by women in the study, such as giving effort to look well-groomed and beautiful under any circumstances, spoiling the husband determine the position of women in society and also support patriarchy. Because against a threat of a “co- wife” prioritize all the wishes of husbands and continuously work to ‘satisfy’ males under any circumstances.

Keywords

Syria, polygyny, Syrian women, migration, patriarchal system.